York Revolution
Encyclopedia
The York Revolution is an American
professional baseball team based in York, Pennsylvania
. It is a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
, an independent league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
. From the 2007 season to the present, the Revolution has played its home games at Sovereign Bank Stadium
, located in the Arch Street neighborhood. The team is the reigning champion of the Atlantic League, following its 3-1 Championship Series win over the Long Island Ducks
on October 1, 2011.
Before the Revolution's inaugural season, baseball fans in York had waited 38 years for the return of the sport since the York White Roses
folded after the 1969 season. In 2006, Yorkers chose the name "Revolution" in a team-sponsored fan ballot. The name refers to the city’s colonial past, when the Continental Congress
met in York and passed the Articles of Confederation
during the Revolutionary War
. During the American Revolution, York was one of the first capitals of the United States. Many Yorkers also see the Revolution name as a symbol of the city's renaissance efforts.
of the nearby city of Lancaster
. Both teams were named after the two factions of England's historic Wars of the Roses
.
In April 2006, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
formally announced an expansion team for the city of York. One of the prominent members of the team's ownership group is Brooks Robinson
, who played with the York White Roses and later with the Baltimore Orioles
from 1955 to 1977. The entrance to the team's stadium is called Brooks Robinson Plaza in his honor.
The Revolution's inaugural season was respectable for a new franchise, as they had a .469 winning percentage and placed third in the former South Division. The team also lost the War of the Roses series to their local rival in Lancaster.
The sophomore season was an exciting campaign for the Revolution. Despite their record of 71 wins and 69 losses, the team earned its place at the top of the Freedom Division and its very first playoff series. However, the Somerset Patriots
swept the Revolution in two games, and eventually won the Atlantic League Championship Series. York was victorious in capturing the Community Cup versus the Barnstormers, and won the very first Route 30 Showdown.
In the 2009 preseason, the Revolution joined the two other Atlantic League teams in holding their spring training at home instead of the traditional site in Lakeland, Florida
. The respective ownership groups of the three teams came to this decision so as to cut costs, citing the 2008 economic recession.
The York Revolution defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish
to win the 2010 Atlantic League Championship Series, three games to nil. This was the city of York's first professional baseball championship since the 1969 York Pirates' Eastern League victory, a span of forty-one years. This was also the Revolution's first Atlantic League championship.
The York Revolution wear caps produced by The Game Headwear
and uniforms by Under Armour
. The caps are navy blue throughout with a stylized "Y", colored white with silver shadowing, with an eagle's head clutching a baseball centered above. The entire cap logo is outlined in navy blue and brass. The Revolution wordmark is centered on the back toward the lower edge of the cap. The home jerseys are white with navy blue and red paneling, and feature a wordmark that pays tribute to the Baltimore Orioles script with cursive serif letters in navy blue outlined in red. The away jersey is gray with navy blue and red paneling with the cursive "York" wordmark is in navy blue outlined in red with a traditional underscore. The alternate jersey is navy blue with red paneling with the "York" wordmark centered across the front in red with white outline. There is also a gold alternate jersey with navy blue paneling and the "eaglehead" logo centered on the left-side chest. The batting helmets are navy blue with a stylized "eaglehead" logo.
During the "War of the Roses", the Revolution wear throwback uniforms of the York White Roses. The White Roses caps are dark gray with a white, Old English "Y" centered on the front. The jerseys are white with gray piping and the "White Roses" wordmark centered on the front, also in dark gray.
The South Central Pennsylvania
cities of York
and Lancaster
have a historical rivalry in all sporting events from the high school level to the professional. As both cities are named after the English cities of York
and Lancaster
, the former Pennsylvania baseball teams were named for the opposing sides of the Wars of the Roses
. Just as in the English battles, the York White Roses
and the Lancaster Red Roses
fought intense baseball matches throughout their existence. With the addition of the York Revolution to the Atlantic League, the team continues the White Roses tradition as they battle the Lancaster Barnstormers
for lower Susquehanna supremacy.
With the sound of cannons, the War of the Roses was rekindled in April 2007 in Wrightsville
, a borough on the natural boundary dividing Lancaster and York counties: the Susquehanna River
. The winner of the War of the Roses is presented with the Community Cup, while the defeated team is obligated to sing the ballpark classic "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and plant a rose garden at the opponent's ballpark with their representative color: white for York, red for Lancaster. The first Community Cup was championed by the Barnstormers in the 2007 season, though the Revolution avenged them by winning it in 2008.
The Revolution and the Barnstormers also compete in the Route 30
Showdown, an annual cross-county doubleheader inadvertently created at the conclusion of the 2008 season by a rain-delay.
Community Cup Record
youth mentoring organization annually by wearing purple jerseys that are auctioned off immediately following the Purple Jersey Night game. Additionally, the team also partnered with Columbia Gas to donate $50 to the York Red Cross
for each scored run by a Revolution player.
is an anthropomorphic
, blue creature named DownTown. He wears the team's home jersey, the primary cap worn backwards, with blue and white sneakers. DownTown debuted on March 31, 2007 at the "Mascot: The Musical" production at the DreamWrights Theater. His full name is DownTown Yorkie, and is the result of a sponsorship deal with Downtown Inc, a partnership of community-minded companies that work to improve and celebrate downtown York. The mascot was designed by the Raymond Entertainment Group, which also produces the Phillie Phanatic
's costume. The Revolution also host a character named Cannonball Charlie, who fires a cannon after each home run or home game victory by the team. He wears the uniform of a period Continental Army
soldier.
He Has a cousin named SmallTown that wears the number 1/2 and debuted in 2009
): 2B
, Retired throughout professional baseball on April 15, 1997
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball team based in York, Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania
York, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
. It is a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
, an independent league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. From the 2007 season to the present, the Revolution has played its home games at Sovereign Bank Stadium
Sovereign Bank Stadium
Sovereign Bank Stadium is a 5,200-seat baseball park in York, Pennsylvania that hosted its first regular season baseball game on June 16, 2007, as the tenants of the facility, the York Revolution, defeated the Newark Bears, 9-6. Located on Codorus Creek, the facility had been in the planning...
, located in the Arch Street neighborhood. The team is the reigning champion of the Atlantic League, following its 3-1 Championship Series win over the Long Island Ducks
Long Island Ducks
The Long Island Ducks is an American professional baseball team based in Central Islip, New York. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
on October 1, 2011.
Before the Revolution's inaugural season, baseball fans in York had waited 38 years for the return of the sport since the York White Roses
York White Roses
The York White Roses was the name of a minor league baseball team in the city of York, Pennsylvania, USA, that existed from 1894–1969.-Early years:...
folded after the 1969 season. In 2006, Yorkers chose the name "Revolution" in a team-sponsored fan ballot. The name refers to the city’s colonial past, when the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
met in York and passed the Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, formally the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement among the 13 founding states that legally established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution...
during the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. During the American Revolution, York was one of the first capitals of the United States. Many Yorkers also see the Revolution name as a symbol of the city's renaissance efforts.
York White Roses
The York White Roses, also known as the York Pirates in their last two seasons of existence, played from 1884 to 1969. The White Roses were bitter rivals of the Red RosesLancaster Red Roses
The Lancaster Red Roses baseball team, originally known as the Maroons, changed its name at the start of the 1906 season during a bitter match with the York, Pennsylvania-based White Roses. Some sources indicate that the rival teams were named for the opposing factions in England's historic Wars of...
of the nearby city of Lancaster
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
. Both teams were named after the two factions of England's historic Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
.
A Revolution
York tried for ten years to bring professional baseball back to the city. The process looked promising in 2003, until politics halted the project. The new baseball stadium was to be located at Small Athletic Field, on York City School District property, but the district's board voted negatively as they did not believe the ballpark would be the best use of district money and land. For three years, political and financial discussions continued to delay the project. A new site for the stadium was agreed upon in the Arch Street neighborhood, with all of the pieces falling into place. Other sites that were considered but did not come to fruition were Hoffman Field and the Ohio Blenders of PA, Inc.Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
formally announced an expansion team for the city of York. One of the prominent members of the team's ownership group is Brooks Robinson
Brooks Robinson
Brooks Calbert Robinson, Jr. is a former American professional baseball player. He played his entire 23-year major league career for the Baltimore Orioles . Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner", he is generally acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-basemen in major league history...
, who played with the York White Roses and later with the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
from 1955 to 1977. The entrance to the team's stadium is called Brooks Robinson Plaza in his honor.
The Revolution's inaugural season was respectable for a new franchise, as they had a .469 winning percentage and placed third in the former South Division. The team also lost the War of the Roses series to their local rival in Lancaster.
The sophomore season was an exciting campaign for the Revolution. Despite their record of 71 wins and 69 losses, the team earned its place at the top of the Freedom Division and its very first playoff series. However, the Somerset Patriots
Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are an American professional baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
swept the Revolution in two games, and eventually won the Atlantic League Championship Series. York was victorious in capturing the Community Cup versus the Barnstormers, and won the very first Route 30 Showdown.
In the 2009 preseason, the Revolution joined the two other Atlantic League teams in holding their spring training at home instead of the traditional site in Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
. The respective ownership groups of the three teams came to this decision so as to cut costs, citing the 2008 economic recession.
The York Revolution defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish
Bridgeport Bluefish
The Bridgeport Bluefish is an American professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
to win the 2010 Atlantic League Championship Series, three games to nil. This was the city of York's first professional baseball championship since the 1969 York Pirates' Eastern League victory, a span of forty-one years. This was also the Revolution's first Atlantic League championship.
Logos and uniforms
The team colors of the York Revolution are Continental navy, Sergeant's red, white, brass, and silver. The "Revolution" wordmark colored white in script outlined by a navy blue background. The word "York" is incorporated colored brass with two brass stars. The entire wordmark is outlined in silver. Centered below the wordmark is a patriotic-themed bald eagle in navy with red and white detail and silver stars with silver outline. The eagle's left talon clutches a baseball.The York Revolution wear caps produced by The Game Headwear
The Game Headwear
The Game Headwear originated as Neil's Sporting Goods in the 1960s. Initially started to equip little league and school athletic teams, the company's business greatly increased in the 1970s and 1980s...
and uniforms by Under Armour
Under Armour
Under Armour is an American sports clothing and accessories company. The company is a supplier of a wide range of sportswear and casual apparel mainly focusing on hi-tech sportswear for professional athletes...
. The caps are navy blue throughout with a stylized "Y", colored white with silver shadowing, with an eagle's head clutching a baseball centered above. The entire cap logo is outlined in navy blue and brass. The Revolution wordmark is centered on the back toward the lower edge of the cap. The home jerseys are white with navy blue and red paneling, and feature a wordmark that pays tribute to the Baltimore Orioles script with cursive serif letters in navy blue outlined in red. The away jersey is gray with navy blue and red paneling with the cursive "York" wordmark is in navy blue outlined in red with a traditional underscore. The alternate jersey is navy blue with red paneling with the "York" wordmark centered across the front in red with white outline. There is also a gold alternate jersey with navy blue paneling and the "eaglehead" logo centered on the left-side chest. The batting helmets are navy blue with a stylized "eaglehead" logo.
During the "War of the Roses", the Revolution wear throwback uniforms of the York White Roses. The White Roses caps are dark gray with a white, Old English "Y" centered on the front. The jerseys are white with gray piping and the "White Roses" wordmark centered on the front, also in dark gray.
Season-by-season records
| York Revolution - 2007-2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | W - L Record | Winning Percentage | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2007 | 58-68 | .460 | 3rd in South Division | |
| 2008 | 71-69 | .507 | 1st in Freedom Division | 0-2 (lost division final) |
| 2009 | 53-87 | .379 | 4th in Freedom Division | |
| 2010 | 69-71 | .493 | 2nd in Freedom Division | 3-2 over Somerset, 3-0 over Bridgeport; |
| 2011 | 73-51 | .589 | 1st in Freedom Division | 3-2 over Lancaster, 3-1 over Long Island |
| Totals (2007-2011) | 324-346 | .484 | 12-7 | |
| War of the Roses | 40–36 | .526 |
- 2 Atlantic League Championships (2010 and 2011)
War of the Roses
South Central Pennsylvania
South Central Pennsylvania is a region of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that includes the fourteen counties of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, and York....
cities of York
York, Pennsylvania
York, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
and Lancaster
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
have a historical rivalry in all sporting events from the high school level to the professional. As both cities are named after the English cities of York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
and Lancaster
Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster is the county town of Lancashire, England. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of 45,952. Lancaster is a constituent settlement of the wider City of Lancaster, local government district which has a population of 133,914 and encompasses several outlying towns, including...
, the former Pennsylvania baseball teams were named for the opposing sides of the Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
. Just as in the English battles, the York White Roses
York White Roses
The York White Roses was the name of a minor league baseball team in the city of York, Pennsylvania, USA, that existed from 1894–1969.-Early years:...
and the Lancaster Red Roses
Lancaster Red Roses
The Lancaster Red Roses baseball team, originally known as the Maroons, changed its name at the start of the 1906 season during a bitter match with the York, Pennsylvania-based White Roses. Some sources indicate that the rival teams were named for the opposing factions in England's historic Wars of...
fought intense baseball matches throughout their existence. With the addition of the York Revolution to the Atlantic League, the team continues the White Roses tradition as they battle the Lancaster Barnstormers
Lancaster Barnstormers
The Lancaster Barnstormers is an American professional baseball team based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
for lower Susquehanna supremacy.
With the sound of cannons, the War of the Roses was rekindled in April 2007 in Wrightsville
Wrightsville, Pennsylvania
Wrightsville is a borough in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,310 at the 2010 census. Wrightsville borough has a police department, historic society, and a volunteer fire company.- History :According to a plaque at Samuel S...
, a borough on the natural boundary dividing Lancaster and York counties: the Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
. The winner of the War of the Roses is presented with the Community Cup, while the defeated team is obligated to sing the ballpark classic "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and plant a rose garden at the opponent's ballpark with their representative color: white for York, red for Lancaster. The first Community Cup was championed by the Barnstormers in the 2007 season, though the Revolution avenged them by winning it in 2008.
The Revolution and the Barnstormers also compete in the Route 30
U.S. Route 30 in Pennsylvania
In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, U.S. Route 30 runs east–west across the southern part of the state, passing through Pittsburgh and Philadelphia on its way from the West Virginia state line east to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River into New Jersey...
Showdown, an annual cross-county doubleheader inadvertently created at the conclusion of the 2008 season by a rain-delay.
| Year | Series Winner | Revolution W | Barnstormers W | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 2007 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion – [Boston Red Sox]*Postseason – October 2 to October 28Click on any series score to link to that series' page.... |
Barnstormers | 8 | 10 | first Community Cup |
| 2008 2008 in baseball -Major League Baseball:* Regular Season Champions* World Series Champions – Philadelphia Phillies** American League Champions – Tampa Bay Rays** National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies* Postseason – October 1 to October 29... |
Revolution | 11 | 9 | |
| 2009 2009 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champions – New York Yankees**American League Champions – New York Yankees**National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies*Postseason – October 7 to November 4... |
Barnstormers | 6 | 13 | |
| 2010 2010 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champions - San Francisco Giants**American League Champions - Texas Rangers**National League Champions - San Francisco Giants*Postseason - October 7 to November 4... |
Revolution | 15 | 4 | the earliest Cup win; July 24 |
| 2011 2011 in baseball -Major League Baseball:December*December 5: Last time to outright a player prior to the Rule 5 Draft – 5 p.m. ET.*December 7: Last date for player who declared free agency to accept an arbitration offer from former club... |
Barnstormers | 10 | 8 | |
| Overall | Barnstormers (3–2) | 46 | 48 |
Philanthropy
The Revolution benefit the Big Brothers Big SistersBig Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a 501 non-profit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that try to have a measurable impact on youth....
youth mentoring organization annually by wearing purple jerseys that are auctioned off immediately following the Purple Jersey Night game. Additionally, the team also partnered with Columbia Gas to donate $50 to the York Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
for each scored run by a Revolution player.
Radio
The official broadcast home of the York Revolution is WOYK 1350 AM, with Darrell Henry as the "Voice of the Revolution." Prior to the 2010 season, games were heard on WSBA 910 AM.Mascots
The York Revolution's official mascotMascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is an anthropomorphic
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is any attribution of human characteristics to animals, non-living things, phenomena, material states, objects or abstract concepts, such as organizations, governments, spirits or deities. The term was coined in the mid 1700s...
, blue creature named DownTown. He wears the team's home jersey, the primary cap worn backwards, with blue and white sneakers. DownTown debuted on March 31, 2007 at the "Mascot: The Musical" production at the DreamWrights Theater. His full name is DownTown Yorkie, and is the result of a sponsorship deal with Downtown Inc, a partnership of community-minded companies that work to improve and celebrate downtown York. The mascot was designed by the Raymond Entertainment Group, which also produces the Phillie Phanatic
Phillie Phanatic
The Phillie Phanatic, is the official mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball team. He is a large, furry, green creature that somewhat resembles a bird from the rear view with a cylindrical beak containing a extendable tongue.-Creation:...
's costume. The Revolution also host a character named Cannonball Charlie, who fires a cannon after each home run or home game victory by the team. He wears the uniform of a period Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
soldier.
He Has a cousin named SmallTown that wears the number 1/2 and debuted in 2009
The Big Hitters
Additional fan entertainment is provided by the Big Hitters, an all-male performance and dance team who receive professional instruction from a local studio called B*Dazzled. The group is made up of heavyset, enthusiastic men who dance to popular music and provide lighthearted comedy.Retired numbers
42 (Jackie RobinsonJackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
): 2B
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, Retired throughout professional baseball on April 15, 1997